Question

The acid used to make acidulated water in the electrolysis of water is Carbonic acid.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

• The acid used to make acidulated water in the electrolysis of water is Sulphuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$.
• Pure water does not contain any ions, so it does not conduct electricity. To increase the conducting property of water in the electrolysis of water, an acid must be added.
• We cannot use carbonic acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$ in place of Sulphuric acid because Carbonic acid is a weak acid, so it cannot dissociate completely into ions.
• Sulphuric acid is a strong acid and it dissociates completely into ions which increases the conductance of water and hence increases the rate of reaction.